The Denver Broncos were riding a stomach-churning roller coaster, NFL-style.
First, there was the emotional high of a 27-13 playoff victory over the defending champion Patriots last January, a game highlighted by five forced turnovers, including a 100-yard interception return by cornerback Champ Bailey.
Then came the devastating dip, a 34-17 playoff loss to the Steelers despite having home-field advantage in the AFC Championship game.
When the topsy-turvy ride stopped, it was time for introspection among the Broncos' decision-makers. Did they feel the 13-3 team that throttled the Patriots was good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2006? Or was a shakeup necessary in light of the loss to the Steelers?
``In the end, we felt good enough with how the season went -- to beat the defending champs at home and ultimately slip into home-field advantage -- that we felt retaining the core of the team was important," said Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist.
Because of that, the 1-1 Broncos team that visits the 2-0 Patriots Sunday night will look quite similar to the one that ended New England's 2005 season.
As part of their offseason plan to retain much of their core, the Broncos re-signed defensive lineman Gerard Warren, and reached contract extensions with offensive tackle Matt Lepsis, center Tom Nalen (of Foxborough), and defensive lineman Courtney Brown.
So of the 22 Broncos players who started in that playoff game, 19 are still on the club, with only running back Mike Anderson (Ravens), receiver Ashley Lelie (Falcons), and defensive lineman Trevor Pryce (Ravens) departing. Tight end Jeb Putzier (Texans), who didn't start, was another key contributor now playing elsewhere.
Receiver Javon Walker, acquired in a trade with the Packers for a second-round draft choice, is the Broncos' most significant newcomer. He's replaced Lelie, who held out of training camp and ultimately was traded to the Falcons.
``At the time, Ashley had made up his mind that he wasn't coming in and we felt he had been a big part of our offense," said Sundquist, who has been with the Broncos for 15 years and is in his fifth year as general manager. ``He could stretch a defense, and people had to respect that. But when he put forth what his demands would be, saying he wanted out of Denver, we were faced with a situation in which Rod [Smith] was getting older and we had some young receivers who were hard workers, but the question was, could you rely on them as your Nos. 2 and 3?
``To get a proven veteran who has done it on game day, and at a high level, that's normally difficult to do. It was an opportunity presented to us that we felt we had to take."